Had it not been for House Speaker Manzoor Nadir’s intervention last night, APNU+AFC Member Geeta Chandan Edmond would have been silenced by her colleague, Opposition Chief Whip, Christoper Jones, during the debate on the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Bill 2025. Had Jones succeeded, Chandan-Edmond would have been prevented from registering her endorsement of President Irfaan Ali and his government for a second term in office. While Jones dropped Chandan-Edmond from the list of speakers and presented an amended line-up to represent the opposition, Chandan-Edmond indicated to the Speaker that she would like the opportunity to speak.
With the permission of the Speaker, Chandan-Edmond approached the podium to make her remarks. A confused Jones interrupted saying, “I’m not certain what’s happening here. I submitted an amended list. She will not speak to this bill.” The Speaker then provided clarity, indicating that he recognized her request to make a contribution and that decision, in spite of Jones’ interruptions and protests, was final.
With the Speaker’s protection, Chandan-Edmond pledged her support for the bill while taking the opportunity to register her unapologetic endorsement for the Irfaan-ali led regime, and particularly the level of leadership she has grown to admire from the President. She alluded to the fact that this was evidently missing from the political opposition.
Citing a crisis of leadership and a lack of maturity within the APNU+AFC, Chandan-Edmond recalled the recent walkout by the opposition following its contribution on the government-sponsored motion to garner solidarity against Venezuela’s fraudulent elections over the Essequibo region.
“…that was a moment of national reckoning. A moment when every one of the 65 elected members of this House should have stood together. And what did the opposition do? I was part of it. We chose silence, we walked out, we chose politics over patriotism,” said the parliamentarian.
Chandan-Edmond said it was not only disappointing, but disgraceful. “It was, in every sense, a betrayal of our sacred duty. I regret, sincerely, I regret walking out on that motion. I should have stood with Guyana, and for that, I apologize.”
She added, “And to every one of you, and to every Guyanese, I apologize for every sin, every ill I have committed, knowingly and unknowingly. And that’s the teaching of my Vedic scriptures.”
Returning to her endorsement, Chandan-Edmond proudly declared that she stands with President Irfan Ali, noting that has earned a second term, and Guyana deserves nothing less. “Under his leadership, we are witnessing real change, investment in people, bold infrastructure, social upliftment, and a renewed sense of national pride. And so I fully and unapologetically endorse President Irfan Ali for a second term, because the work is not done. The transformation is still underway,” said the opposition parliamentarian.
In anticipation of those who may seek to ridicule her for supporting the president, Chandan-Edmond reminded that she is a woman with an unbreakable spirit, a product of the sugar plantation.
She said, “I am a child of Chesney, Albion. We just don’t survive. We rise. We are strong and we are resilient. So yes, my back is broad, literally, it is broad. My chest is strong. And I’m ready to rumble…
Chandan-Edmond concluded, “I fought my demons. I’ve risen above my struggle. And I stand here today strong, unbreakable, and undefeated. Why? Because I am a product of the sugar plantation.”
